Đảo Hải Lư

Hailv Island, sometimes translated as "Sea Donkey Island," is a small, protected seabird island off the coast of Rongcheng near Weihai. Once a popular day-trip destination, the island has been closed to landing since 2018 as part of a broader effort by the Rongcheng marine authorities to protect the breeding populations of black-tailed gulls and other seabirds that nest on its cliffs.

Ecologically, the island is one of the more significant breeding sites on the Shandong coast. During the spring and summer nesting season, the rock faces and grassy ledges fill with thousands of gulls, and the surrounding waters support a busy population of marine birds. The bird life, combined with the island's steep cliff formations, made Hailv a well-known stop for nature photographers and birdwatchers before the landing ban.

Today, visitors experience Hailv Island from the water. Tour boats operated from the nearby coast run sightseeing loops around the island, allowing views of the seabird colonies, the sea stacks, and the cliff geology from offshore. Cruises typically run in good weather during the warmer months, and the experience is closer to a wildlife cruise than a beach landing.

For a foreign traveler, the most important practical note is that landing is not permitted, despite older guide descriptions and online itineraries suggesting otherwise. The boat cruise remains the only way to visit. Bring binoculars for the bird life, and dress warmly against the wind, which is constant on the open water. Pair the visit with other Rongcheng-area coastal sites, Chengshan Head, the Xixiakou wildlife park, and the nearby sea-cliff roads, for a full day along the eastern tip of Shandong.